Whispering Hearts by Cassandra Chandler

sob. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
    It was news to Garrett too. His grip on the phone tightened.
    â€œNobody did. And it almost cost me Dante. It almost cost you your life.”
    â€œI don’t understand,” Rachel said.
    â€œIf I had explained how I knew about him, maybe you would have listened. I’m so sorry, Rachel.” Elsa sniffed.
    This was not what Garrett had planned. He wanted Rachel to understand that he believed her, not to have both her and Elsa upset and crying.
    Garrett pulled Rachel closer, gently running his hand up and down her arm. He hoped Dante was comforting Elsa too.
    â€œPlease don’t be sorry,” Rachel said. “It’s my fault, not yours. You were only hurt because you were trying to help me.”
    Dante spoke up, sounding much more focused and coherent. “The only involved party who bears responsibility is Michael.”
    Next time Garrett saw Dante, a manly hug was in order. Everybody was blaming themselves for what happened. Even Garrett, every time he thought of that damned voicemail from Finn. It needed to stop.
    â€œI think we can all agree on that,” Garrett said. “Can we also agree that we’re done with the apologizing?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Elsa said.
    Rachel nodded. “Yes. Of course.”
    â€œI can’t believe you’ve been blaming yourself this whole time,” Elsa said. “I hope we never go through anything like this again, but no matter what you’re dealing with, if something’s bothering you and we can fix it just by talking, please don’t wait to call me.”
    Garrett suppressed a little laugh. That was the Elsa they all knew and loved. Telling people what to do. Order was restored to his universe.
    â€œI won’t. In fact that’s why we called.” Rachel looked at Garrett and smiled, eyes bright with tears.
    His heart seemed to lurch toward her. He wanted to pull her closer and kiss away her tears. She turned back to the phone before he could do anything so stupid.
    â€œI have a gift too,” Rachel said.
    â€œA gift?” Elsa asked.
    â€œA psychic ability.”
    â€œYou’re kidding!”
    Rachel laughed. “I told Garrett about it, and when he believed me right away I thought he was humoring me.”
    â€œYeah, he does that.” An edge of playfulness had returned to Elsa’s tone. “Can you travel too?”
    â€œNo, mine’s more…mainstream.”
    She grinned at Garrett. He smiled back, trying to pretend that everything was okay, that his heart wasn’t constricting in his chest, suffocating from having her so close and knowing he couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
    â€œI hear ghosts,” Rachel said.
    â€œGhosts are real?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œAnd they talk to you?”
    â€œIt’s more like they talk near me. I’ve been trying not to let them know I can hear them, but I think the cat’s out of the bag. It tends to make them clingy when they find out. The whole thing is not as fun as it sounds.”
    â€œI can imagine. Can you turn it off?”
    â€œNot really. But there are things I can do to keep them away.”
    â€œThat sounds awful.” There was a short pause, then Elsa asked, “It isn’t Michael, is it? You’re not hearing him?”
    Garrett’s heart dropped through his stomach. He pulled Rachel closer against his chest, looking all around.
    How the hell had he not thought of that immediately when Rachel told him about what she could do? His relief that she was confiding in him—that he finally had an explanation for her behavior—had clouded his mind.
    â€œNo, it’s not Michael. His body was cremated—I checked. There have to be earthly remains for a spirit to linger.”
    Garrett lowered his head to Rachel’s shoulder for a moment, willing his heart to slow down. She briefly leaned her head against his.
    â€œThat